Q.A friend of mine was told by the pastor that Jesus is NOT the King of the Universe but only the King of Christians. Which is it?

A. Jesus is KING OF THE UNIVERSE. The Bible the Catechism of the Catholic Church and as Pope Benedict said last year on the Feast of Christ the King:

The title “King”, designating Jesus, is very important in the Gospels and makes possible a complete interpretation of the figure of Jesus and of his mission of salvation. In this regard a progression can be noted: it starts with the expression “King of Israel” and extends to that of universal King, Lord of the cosmos and of history, The Cross is the paradoxical sign of his kingship, which consists in the loving will of God the Father in response to the disobedience of sin. It is in the very offering of himself in the sacrifice of expiation that Jesus becomes King of the universe, as he himself was to declare when he appeared to the Apostles after the Resurrection: “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Mt 28: 18).

Next Sunday, the last of Ordinary Time, we shall be celebrating the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe.

And then there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

CCC 786 Finally, the People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection.211Christ, King and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

So, the pastor was mistaken. Jesus Christ is KING OF THE UNIVERSE and King of all peoples.